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Washington's Headquarters as it appeared in Revolutionary times at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

I send you herewith a copy of the Report of the

VALLEY FORGE REVOLUTIONARY ENCAMPMENT COMMISSIONof the

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

For the Reference Depeutment of your 4hP* Library.

Kindly acknowledge receipt to.

Yours respectfully,

JOHN HENRY FORT,Camden, New Jersey. President.

REPORTOF THE

^ju^, Valley Forge

Revolutionary Encampment

Commission

OF THE

State of New Jersey

^7^>//COMMISSIONERS

JOHN HENRY FORT, President

A. J. DEMAREST. Treasurer JAMES L. PENNYPACKER. Secretary

GEN. J. MADISON DRAKE DAVID R. MULFORD

SiNNicKsoN Chew & Sons Company, Printers37 AND 39 NORTH THIRD STREET

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY

I916

c

K

IA DESCRIPTION OF VALLEY FORGE ENCAMPMENT

There is no spot connected with the Revolutionary history of our coun-

try more sacred than that of Valley Forge. Every patriotic American has

read of it, and yet for nearly a century after the famous encampment of Val-

ley Forge was abandoned by Washington's army it received but little public

consideration. The rain and snow which fell upon the historical fortifica-tions, and the grass and trees, slowly effaced the redoubts and other earth-

works thrown up for protection. Briars and wild flowers sprang up in wild

profusion and for many years these sacred spots were almost inaccessible.

The patriotic people residing in and around Valley Forge, w^hich takes itsname from an old forge located on the Valle\^ Creek nearly a mile from the

present village, but which was destroyed by fire during the Revolutionary

War, have kept alive the traditions and guarded the Camp grounds fromdesecration and destruction. The encampment is at the confluence of the

Valley Creek and Schuylkill ; the former flows down one side of the old Campground from Chester County into the Schuylkill on the other. Washing-

ton's headquarters was an old stone mansion, originally known as the old

Potts farm house.

The Reading Railroad which runs along the Schuylkill side of the en-campment has recently erected a handsome $io,000 depot just across the road

from Washington's headquarters. Valley Forge is about twenty-one miles

from Philadelphia and is now easily accessible either by the Pennsylvania

Railroad ; the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad ; by trolley from Phoenixville,five miles distant; or by trolley from Sixty-ninth and Market streets, Phila-

delphia, to Norristown.

The Camp is picturesquely situated and is comprised of rolling woodedhills, deep ravines and precipitous bluffs along Valley Creek and the Schuyl-

kill. In Revolutionary times it was a sparsely settled farming community

and was accessible only by rough roads and Indian trails. Being surrounded

on two sides by water and bluffs, and by woods on the others, it was a natural

fortification and w^as recommended to Washington after the battle of Bran-

dy^vine by Col. Lutterloh. The original Encampment was about two miles

in length, extending to Port Kennedy on the Schuylkill and stretching in a

semicircle across the Gulph Road. The entrance to the Encampment w^as

along a ravine and its entrance was fortified by parks of artillen^, two lines

of earthworks, forts and redoubts commanding the entire Encampment.

While the Encampment comprised a few thousand acres of land, several out-

posts and picket lines extended several miles from the real Encampment.

The army arrived there December 19, 1777, and before huts could be erected5

the soldiers suffered terribly from cold in their tents, especially as they were

scantily supplied with blankets and clothing. Huts 14 x 16 feet in dimen-

sion were erected for the use of the soldiers, and the various old farm houses

were used as headquarters for the Brigade and Division Commanders. Sick-

ness and disease invaded the Camp, and out of an army of 8,000 men nearly

3,500, it is estimated, died during the six months of encampment. The deathswere so frequent and the firing of the military salute at the funerals being

so depressing to the soldiers, Washington ordered it discontinued and three

rolls of the drum substituted in its place. It was here that General VonSteuben instructed the undrilled army and brought it up to a state of high

proficiency and it was recruited up to about 14,000 men which thereafterwere invincible.

The Encampment has been restored to its old Revolutionary conditionand the Valley Forge Park Commission of Pennsylvania has placed protec-

tions around old historic spots and made them accessible by drives and trans-

formed the Encampment into a beautiful park. Washington's Headquarters,

the artificers' camp and the various headquarters are all in good condition

and easy of access. Fort Washington, Fort Huntington, the Star redoubt,

the lines of earthworks, the old Letitia Penn school-house, the old bake-ovens,

and the unknown soldiers' graves have all been sacredly taken care of. Anobservatory has been erected at Mount Joy that affords a view of the entireEncampment, and log huts have been erected in fac simile of the old huts and

hospital used by the Revolutionary Army.

Some years ago some patriotic ladies rented Washington's Headquarters

with a view to creating an interest in the old camp ground, but proving to

be a financial burden they were assisted by the Patriotic Sons of America, and

through their efforts the State of Pennsylvania made an appropriation for the

purchase of the headquarters and a part of the old Encampment. The Act

of Assembly created a Commission known as the Valley Forge Park Com-

mission and from time to time additional land has been acquired and the prin-

cipal portion of the old Valley Forge Camp has been placed in the originalcondition of the Revolutionary period without destroying or altering any of

its features.

Valley Forge is one of the most sacred spots known in the Revolutionary

history of our country, and while the army was small there were 14,000 troops

finally encamped there, being recruited from twelve of the original thirteen

colonies. Most of the generals of Revolutionary fame were quartered at

Valley Forge, among whom were Major Generals Nathaniel Greene, Alex-ander McDougall, Baron de Kalb, Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Mifflin,

Lord Stirling, Charles Lee, Baron Von Steuben and John Sullivan ; and

among the Brigadier Generals who commanded various troops were Thomas

Conway, of Pennsylvania; John Glover, of Massachusetts; Jediah Hunting-

ton, of Connecticut; Henry Knox, of Pennsylvania; Ebenezer Learned, of

6

Washington's Redoubt, built Winter of Mil -IZ.

A View of Huntington Redoubt as it appears to-day.

7

New Hampshire; William Maxwell, of New Jersey; Lackland Mcintosh,of Georgia and North Carolina; John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, of Penn-

sylvania; John Patterson, of Connecticut and Massachusetts; Enoch Poor,

of New York; Charles Scott, of Virginia; Anthony Wayne, of Pennsyl-vania; George Weeden, of Virginia; James M. Varnum, of RhodeIsland; Count Pulaski and Louis Lebeque Duportail. Besides these were

men who afterwards became eminent in the history of our country,such as Alexander Hamilton, Colonel Trumbel, Timothy Pickering,

afterwards a Cabinet officer; George Clinton, afterwards Vice President;

Henry Dearborn, afterw^ards Secretary of War; Thomas Hiester, afterwardsGovernor of Pennsylvania; Richard Peters, afterwards Judge of the United^

States Court; John Marshall, then a private in the ranks, afterwards Chief

Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and James Monroe, afterwards

President of the United States, and others.

While the Valley Forge Encampment marks an interesting era in the

historj' of our country, it was so fraught with hardships and sorrow that even

Washington, after the close of the Revolutionary War, when visiting Penn-

sylvania, did not visit Valley Forge, as its memories were so sad that he did

not care to revive them. There are about 3,500 unknown graves there oc-

cupied by soldiers who died of smallpox and enteric fevers, and owing to the

frozen condition of the ground were buried only a few inches below the soil,

and sometimes were covered more with snow than with earth. Only one

grave has been identified, that of Colonel Waterman, and in fact when some

of the little mounds have been opened to establish them as graves only a limy

trace remained to identify them as the last resting places of those who gave

their lives for their country.

The Valley Forge Park Commission of Pennsylvania has brought theold Camp ground up to a beautiful condition and, while preserving all of theRevolutionary features, made it a park that is not only the Shrine of Amer-

ican patriotism but also a place of recreation as well as a Revolutionary his-

torical resort. Beautiful drives and walks place every feature of the old En-

campment within easy access of the visitor, and the Commission maintains a

Park Guard who guide the visitors and protect all objects of interest from

desecration. Picnic grounds have been established and suitable camping facili-

ties, and thousands of school children, accompanied by their teachers, fre-

quently visit there, and nearly 300,000 people annually visit this historic spot.

While the Valley Forge Park Commission of Pennsjdvania has placed

granite markers upon the sites occupied by the various colonial State troops

located there, only five States, namely, Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts,

New Jersey and Delaware so far have erected monuments in commemora-tion of their Revolutionary soldiers encamped there. The Commission limits

the cost of any monument to $5,000, and the intention is not to make it a

park with grand monuments, but in keeping with the spirit of the time and

S

A View of the Inner Line, Where it Crosses the Gulph Road, Showing theArtillery en park.

Graves of unknown Revolutionary Soldiers, who were buried during Winterof 1777-78.

purely along Continental lines; therefore, no names may be placed upon anymonument excepting those who participated in the Revolutionary War.

The New Jersey monument is erected upon the hill occupied by Max-well's Brigade, and the bronze soldier facing the Schu}4kill looks out over

the expanse towards the State of New Jersey from which he and his com-panions in arms came.

The whole Encampment has a park-like appearance; the grass is keptcut like a lawn, the groves are kept clear of briars, while wild flowers grow

in profusion, and growths of laurel dot the hills and roadsides, and hundreds

of birds warble and sing their anthems in the groves to the Nation's Shrine

in Summer, while the soughing of the trees and the howling Winter winds

render a requiem to the unknown dead.

10

REPORT OF THE VALLEY FORGE REVOLUTIONARYENCAMPMENT COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF

NEW JERSEY

The Valle}' Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission respectfully

submits the following report:

This Commission was appointed by the Honorable Woodrow Wilson,

then Governor of the State of New Jersey, under an Act of the Legislature,approved 191 2. The following is a copy of the Act referred to. The Act

was prepared by John Henry Fort, of Camden, and introduced in the Assem-

bly by Honorable Albert DeUnger:

Assembly No. 46.

State of New Jersey,Introduced January 15, 191 2,

By Mr. DeUnger.

Referred to Committee on Claims and Revolutionary Pensions.

An Act creating the Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commissionand defining its powers and duties.

Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of NeiuJersey

:

1. The Governor of this State is hereby authorized to appoint five per-sons, residents of this State, who shall constitute, and are hereby appointed.a board of commissioners by the name and style of the "Valley Forge Revolu-tionary Encampment Commission." The term of such commissioners shallbe for five years, and no member of such commission shall receive any com-pensation for his services, and in case of death or vacancy, the Governor shall

have the authority to fill such vacancy. Three of such commissioners shallconstitute a quorum at any stated or specially called meeting.

2. This commission shall elect a president, secretary and treasurer fromtheir number, and said commissioners shall have power and authority toarrange with the State of Pennsylvania for the use and occupation of the

lands occupied by the New Jersey troops at Valley Forge Encampment, WestChester and Montgomery counties, during the years of one thousand sevenhundred and seventj'-seven and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight,and have the same suitably marked with granite posts and a granite shaft bear-ing the inscription of the names of the troops, and the commanding officeror officers, and such other inscription as shall be suitable to commemorate thememory of the New Jersey troops quartered there during the RevolutionaryWar.

3. The said commission is hereby authorized to expend the sum of fivethousand dollars for the erection of a granite shaft and markers.

11

And the said commission is hereb}^ authorized to enter into negotiationswith the State of Pennsjdvania, or the Valley Forge Encampment Park Com-missioners, for the erection of said markers and granite shaft, and to advertise

for proposals for marking the site occupied by the New Jersey troops duringthe years one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven and one thousandseven hundred and seventy-eight, and for all such other matters that are in-cident thereto, not exceeding the appropriation herein made for the same.

4. This act shall take effect immediately.

It seems passing strange that from June i8th, 1778, until January

15th, 19 1 2, no effort had been made to secure the passage of an Act for

the erection of a monument to mark the site occupied by the First New Jer-sey Brigade Infantry Line, composing a part of Washington's Army at Val-ley Forge. This Brigade, generally known as Maxwell's Brigade, was one

of the most famous bodies of troops in the Revolutionary Army, and the con-

ception of the idea of the erection of the New Jersey Monument at ValleyForge was largely through the efforts of a patriotic organization whose

members, by personal sacrifices and at considerable expense, not only helped to

secure the passage of the Act creating the Valley Forge Revolutionary En-

campment Commission, but greatly lessened the expense to the State in the

ceremonies of the corner-stone laying, as well as greatly assisting the Com-

mission on several occasions with the free use of their automobiles and highly

appreciated services at the dedicatory ceremonies, for which the Commission

wishes to return its thanks. Camden Lodge, No. 293, Benevolent and Pro-

tective Order of Elks, deserves great credit for the assistance given the Com-

mission, and Mr. Frank T. Albright also for exploiting the project in the

press of the entire State of New Jersey. The following letter, issued byCamden Lodge, gives an account of the whole matter. After the passage of

the Act and the appropriation of $5,000, Governor Wilson appointed the

Commission

:

CAMDEN LODGE, No. 293,BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS

Of the United States of America.

Camden, N. J., December 12, 1912.

Dear Sirs and Bros.:

At a meeting of Camden Lodge of Elks held on W'ednesday evening, December 6,191 1, Bro. John Henry Fort, who spoke at the Memorial Service of Norristown Lodgeof Elks, gave a glowing description of a visit to Valley Forge, near Norristown, Mont-

gomery and Chester counties, Pennsylvania.

Bro. Fort described in detail the present condition of the old Revolutionary En-

campment and stated that the State of Pennsylvania had purchased the old historic

site, and under a Commission was having it restored to its original condition, which

was rendered feasible by reason of a map recently discovered in a museum, in Holland,by a French engineer for Gen. Washington, that showed ever)' detail of defence, loca-

tion of troops and General Washington's Headquarters, as well as those of the other

12

generals. The camping grounds have been beautified by fine roads and paths and the

redoubts, forts and earthworks uncovered and even fac simile huts erected to cover

every detail and cannon of the Revolutionary t3pe placed in the park, as designated

on the old map now in possession of Cornell University.

Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and other States of the original thirteen Col-

onies who had troops there have erected, or are about to erect, granite markers to

commemorate the location. Pennsylvania has erected at great cost a granite equestrian

statue of Major General Anthony Wayne and magnificent granite columns surmountedwith bronze eagles. The Valley Forge Park, as restored, is one of great beauty, and

with the beautiful Schuylkill and Valley Forge Creek flowing around the sloping hill-

sides of Valley Forge makes it one of picturesqueness and loveliness. Hill after hill

rises and falls in the distance, and here were quartered in 1777 and 1778 the 8,000

young soldiers of noble sires from the thirteen old Colonies who battled for freedom.Thirt)-five hundred of them died here and are buried in the Valley Forge Park with

unmarked graves. And yet, with all these discouragements, Washington here recruitedand drilled his army, by aid of Baron von Steuben, to a high efficiency and to a

strength of 14,000 invincible men.

There were a number of troops there from New Jersey and some were buried in thoseunmarked graves. It was from near here Washington marched to Trenton and van-

quished the Hessians; marking the roads and snow-covered fields with the blood from the

feet of his shoeless soldiers. As the site occupied by the troops from New Jersey, thenone of the Colonies, has never been marked, Bro. Fort moved that a committee of three

from Camden Lodge of Elks be appointed to solicit, by letter, the aid of every Elks'

Lodge in New Jersey, requesting the Senator and Representatives from the county inwhich the Lodge is situated to vote for the enactment of a law providing for the

appointment of a Commission by the Legislature to obtain all data necessary to

locate the site and obtain permission to erect a granite marker and suitable stones

to commemorate the memory of the officers and men who heroically representedNew Jersey in the great sufferings and heroic acts performed by them at Valley Forge.The idea is also to have the act carry with it an appropriation of not less than $5,000to cover the expense of the marker and other small granite posts needed to fix the

boundary.

As Valley Forge is the Mecca of American Independence, hallowed in the memory

especially of those residing in the thirteen original States, may we ask your co-opera-tion in this work and have j-our secretary, under the seal of the Lodge, write your

Senator and Representatives, urging their support of this project?

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is patriotic as well as benevolent.

As Jerseymen let us honor the memory of those who gave us our Flag and Nation by

erecting a shaft on the site where they made such noble sacrifices.

Fraternally j^ours,

John Henry Fort,

President of Committee.

The Commissioners appointed bj^ Governor Wilson were:

John Henry Fort, of Camden, designated bj- the Governor as chairman.

A. J. Demarest, of Hoboken.

David R. Mulford, of Bridgeton.

James L. Penn3'packer, of Haddonfield.

General J. Madison Drake, of Elizabeth.13

Upon receipt of notification of his appointment as Commissioner and as

having been designated by the Governor as chairman, John Henry Fort called

a meeting of the Commission, by letter, in the parlor of the Home of Cam-den Lodge, No. 293, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, v^^hich had

previously placed the Home at the service of the Commission:

Camden, May 29, 1912.My Dear Sir:

Having been designated by Governor Wilson as Chairman of the Valley Forge

Revolutionary Monument Commission,—but which more properly under the Act isdesignated as President,—I hereby notify you that a meeting of the Commission willbe held in Camden at the Elks' Building, Broadway and Federal street, on Tuesday

forenoon, June 12th, 1912, at n o'clock. As the Lodges of New Jersey of the Order ofElks were strong supporters of this bill as a patriotic organization, they have asked

the honor of having the first meeting held at the Camden Home, and will entertain

us with lunch after we have finished our business. The Lodge has appointed a com-

mittee who will look after us and after lunch convey us in automobiles to Valley

Forge where we will meet a delegation of the Pennsylvania Valley Forge Park Commis-

sion, who will formally give us permission to locate the monument upon the site occupied

by the New Jersey Brigade under General Maxwell there in 1777-1778.As the Patriotic Order Sons of America and kindred orders have largely been in-

strumental in the creation of Valley Forge Park, you can understand why they are

so interested in this matter.

In order to avoid dragging the Commission needlessly here several times, as I pre-

sume you are all business men, and as the Act provides no expense account, I have

made all necessary inquiries from the Pennsylvania Commissioners and arranged de-

tails that are necessary and formal. I enclose you clipping from Camden Post-Tele-

gram which explains the matter. I find a strong sentiment hereabouts in favor of

a big demonstration when the monument is dedicated, but could only say we had no

money under the Act to do it and was told the several organizations of a patriotic Order

would arrange for a parade without expense to the Commission. I promised to bring

the matter to the attention of our Commission and mention it now so you can think

over the matter before we meet. I presume at our first meeting we can do little beyond

authorizing proposals for designs and plans and specifications for the monument.

If it is to be dedicated this Fall immediate action should be taken. I have had

one offer submitted to me, and I presume there will be several.

Kindly answer and inform of your being present on the date arranged.

I am most respectfully yours,John Henry Fort.

The Commission met on June 12th, 1912, agreeably to said notice, and

was called to order by the designated chairman. The Act of Assembly creat-

ing the Commission providing that it should elect its own officers, the Com-

mission accordingly elected the following officers for the term of its exist-

ence:

President—John Henry Fort, of Camden.Secretary—James L. Pennypacker, of Haddonfield.Treasurer—A. J. Demarest, of Hoboken.

14

The officers elected dul_v accepted the positions. The president of the

Commission then formally extended an invitation to the Commissioners to

dine with a committee of the Camden Lodge of Elks in the Home (whichwas previously appointed to entertain them). He also informed them thatafter lunch the committee would escort them to Valley Forge in automobiles

as the guests of the committee on behalf of the Lodge. Having finished all

business, the president informed the Commissioners that he had, from his

nearness to Valley Forge and to avoid unnecessary expense to the State for

traveling expenses of the Commission, visited the Valley Forge Park Com-

mission of Pennsylvania to obtain full information as to what must be done

before steps could be taken for the erection of the monument to the NewJersey troops quartered there during the winter of the years 1 777-1 778. The

president explained in detail that the old camping grounds were now owned

by the State of Pennsylvania and had been restored to their ancient state as

far as possible without destroying the historical and military features. He

also stated that the State of ALnine, then a part of the Commonwealth of

Massachusetts, had erected a granite shaft brought from Maine upon the site

occupied by its troops, and the State of ]\Lassachusetts had recently erected

a granite Exhedra upon the site occupied by its troops, and that the State of

Pennsylvania had previously erected granite columns at the entrance to the

position of the grounds occupied by its troops, the columns being surmounted

by magnificent bronze eagles, and also had erected a magnificent full-sized

equestrian statue to Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne. He further explained thatthe State of Pennsylvania had created a Commission which had entire charge

of the Valley Forge Encampment, and had purchased some five hundred acres

of the old Valley Forge Encampment, and had restored the forts, redoubts,

roads, earthworks and all military features of the old Camp as well as at placeserecting log huts in fac simile of the original ones used by the Continental

Army at Valley Forge.

He stated also that the Commission had restored Washington's head-quarters and marked the sites by small granite shafts with suitable inscriptions

on bronze tablets to locate the position occupied by each body of troops en-

camped there, and had laid out a beautiful concourse or boluevard for the

use of vehicles and pedestrians. In order to erect a monument or other struc-

ture to commemorate the site occupied by any troops President Fort explained

it was necessary to obtain the consent of the Valley Forge Encampment Com-mission, created under an Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, and submit

all plans for their approval. On application the Commission would select asite as near as possible to either Regimental or Brigade headquarters.

President Fort explained that he had, on invitation of the Valley Forge

Park Commission of Pennsylvania, visited it in company with President Wil-liam H. Sayen, Dr. John H. Jordan, secretary, and Mr. W. A. Patton, whokindly took him with them on one of their official trips, and with the assist-

15

ance of Colonel S. S. Hartranft, superintendent of the Valley Forge Park,

escorted him to the site occupied by the New Jersey Brigade during the timethe old Encampment was occupied by the Continental Army, 1777-1778, and

he was accorded the honor of selecting the site for the New Jersey Monu-ment which is as near Brigade headquarters as it is possible to ascertain. By

means of an old camp map, drafted by Maj. Gen. Duportail, chief of Wash-

ington's staff, and discovered by ex-Governor Pennypacker in a museum in

Antwerp, and now in possession of Cornell University, the various sites have

been correctly marked and further verified by contemporaneous maps in the

Commission's possession.

Reproduction of a Hospital Hut, built upon the Original Site Occupied1777-78.

The Commission then adjourned to the call of the president, and after

dinner, as the guests of the Camden Lodge of Elks, accompanied by thirty

members in nine automobiles furnished by members of the Lodge, proceeded

to Valley Forge, about twentj'-one miles from Philadelphia. Upon arriving

at Valley Forge, a trip was made through every part of it, and the Commis-

sioners and visitors alighted at Washington's headquarters, where they were

met by Col. Hartranft and Mr. J. P. Hale Jenkins on behalf of the Val-

ley Forge Park Commission of Pennsylvania, who escorted them to the site

selected for the erection of the New Jersey Monument. It was then ex-plained that the cost of the monument was limitd to not more than five thou-

sand dollars for each State, and that this ruling must be observed. A chest-16

nut stake had been driven to mark the site and the Commission unanimouslyaccepted it.

The Commission, at its first meeting, authorized the president and thesecretary to draw up advertisements for proposals and publish them four times

in the following papers: The State Gazette, Trenton; Daily Observer, Ho-boken ; Evening News, Newark ; Post-Telegram and Courier, Camden.

PROPOSAL FOR GRANITE MONUMENT,To be erected at Valley Forge Park, Montgomery County, Pa

Proposals are invited for the erection of a granite shaft and markers tobe located at Valley Forge Park, Montgomery County, Pa., by the ValleyForge Revolutionary Encampment Commission, under the laws of New Jer-sey, to mark the site occupied bv the New Jersey troops quartered there, 1777-1778.

All information will be furnished and bidders are to submit designs fromsuggestions of Commission, price not to exceed $5,000.

Quality of granite and weight of each block or shaft is to be given anddimensions of each and height of monument. Bids to include foundation,bronze tablet or tablets and coat-of-arms of State, etc., and erection ready forunveiling. Five blue prints drawn to scale must be furnished for Commis-sioners to study ten days before filing of bids.

All persons desiring to bid, applying before July I, 191 2, will be fur-

nished with letter containing more specific details.The Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Bids must

be in by August i, 191 2, and the Commission will meet at the State House,Trenton, N. J., at 1 1 A. M., to open and examine them.

A certified check for $200 must accompany each bid.For further information address and submit proposals to

John H. Fort,President Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission,

311 Market Street, Camden, N. J.Attest:

—

James L. Pexnypacker,Secretary Commission.

In response to these advertisements a number of proposals were received.

The Commission at the time designated met at the oflfice of the AdjutantGeneral, in the State House, in the city of Trenton, where the bids were

opened. Every bidder was given an opportunity to come before the Com-mission and fully explain details and specifications and submit models, blue

prints or drawings of the proposed monument. The Commission notified thebidders that it reserved the right to examine the plans and specifications and

announce the result at a later day. All the bidders had been given previously

a copy of a tentatively adopted design for the monument and figure and noti-fied that the plans submitted must be changed from a granite statue to bronze,

of the United States Government standard. All the plans for the monu-

ment were afterwards submitted to the Valley Forge Park Commission of17

Pennsylvania, which selected the plans of the O. J. Hammell Co., Pleasant-

ville, N. J., as acceptable providing that the figure of the soldier as well as

the inscription tablets should be changed to bronze instead of granite. This

change, with the elaborate granite monument submitted by that company,

added several thousand dollars to the expense, but by reducing the ornamenta-

iton the company was able to of^er the Commission a more substantial monu-

ment than the first design, which being acceptable to the Valley Forge Park

Commissioners of Pennsjdvania, was duly approved, and at a meeting of the

Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission of New Jersey, heldat Trenton, in the Adjutant General's office, was accepted and the contract

awarded to the O. J. Hammell Co. for the sum of five thousand dollars, the

amount appropriated by the State of New Jersey and fixed as the maximumand minimum cost of any monument to be erected by any State at Valley

Forge Park. Assistant Attorney General Gaskill very kindly drew the con-

tract, which was afterwards executed and filed in the office of the State Comp-

troller, after being approved by Governor Woodrow Wilson.

Camden Lodge of Elks, having so generously entertained the Commis-

sion at dinner and allowed the use of its Home for meeting purposes of the

Commission and assuming the expense of providing automobiles to convey the

Commission to Valley Forge, General J. Madison Drake submitted a resolu-

tion that Camden Lodge of Elks be invited and accorded the honor of laying

the corner-stone of the monument on Tuesday, the twelfth day of November,

19 1 2, and that the President of the Commission, as a member of the Lodge,

be authorized to extend the invitation and make all arrangements for the lay-

ing of the corner-stone.

Camden Lodge of Elks accordingly issued the following letter of invita-

tion to the thirty-five Lodges in the State of New Jersey and nearby Lodgesof other States:

CAMDEN LODGE, No. 293, B. P. O. E.

Camden, N. J., October 22, 1912.

Exalted Ruler and Bros.:

On Tuesday, November 12th, Camden Lodge, by invitation of the New Jersey

Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission, appointed under an Act of the

Legislature to erect a monument at Valley Forge upon the site occupied by the New

Jersey Brigade, under General William Maxwell, 1777-1778, will lay the corner-stone.

This honor is conferred upon our Lodge because it assumed the initiative in supporting

Bro. John H. Fort in his efforts to get the Legislature to pass an Act and an appropria-

tion for a monument to mark the site occupied by the New Jersey Brigade at that grand

old historic encampment ground.

The Grand Exalted Ruler has granted a dispensation to Camden Lodge, under the

seal of the Grand Lodge, and a committee has been appointed for the purpose of ar-

ranging details for a special train via the Reading Railroad (Philadelphia Terminal),

for November 12th, 12.30 o'clock, returning about 5.20 from Valley Forge.

There will be at least two hundred members from Camden Lodge, many accompanied

by their ladies and friends. A brass band will enliven the occasion. The corner-stoneceremonies will be entertaining and all the exercises under charge of the Elks.

IS

As this monument was largely obtained through the assistance of the Order of

Elks in New Jersey, it is eminently proper that it should be represented at the corner-stone laying, and we ask you to have your Lodge represented by either a delegationor \our Exalted Ruler, that the public may see that the Order of Elks not only professes

to be patriotic but is indeed so. The round-trip ticket from Philadelphia is $i.oo,

and to secure a special train two hundred responses from members are required.

Kindly advise us if your Lodge will be represented and by about how man\'. Let

the Order of Elks show its appreciation of the honor.

Fraternally yours,

John Henry Fort,

Attest: Chairman of Committee.

A. J. MiLLiETTE, Secretary.

Camden Lodge of Elks ha\ing accepted the invitation to lay the corner-

stone, the contractor, under instructions of the Commission, immediately pro-

ceeded to lay the foundation. The foundation is of concrete and was laid

under the personal supervision of the Valley Forge Park Commission Supei-

intendent, according to the Commission's standing rule.

On November I2th, igi2, everything being in readiness, the membersof Camden Lodge of Elks, accompanied by a number of ladies, friends and

members of other Lodges, proceeded to Valley Forge in a special train at

the expense of the Lodge members, for the purpose of laying the corner-stone.

The Order of Elks is a patriotic as well as a benevolent organization, and a

special dispensation was granted by the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Grand

Lodge of the United States of America, and a Special Ritual was prepared

for the occasion by John Henry Fort, Past District Deputy Grand Exalted

Ruler of New Jersey.The Grand Exalted Ruler previously granted the following dispensation

:

Superior, Wis., October i6, 1912.

To the Officers and Members of Camden Lodge, No. 2Q3, B. P. 0. Elks:

In accordance with request of Brother E. Wilmer Collins, Secretary, under date ofOctober 12, Camden Lodge, No. 293, is hereb}' granted a special dispensation to takepart in the laying of the corner-stone of the monument to be erected at Valley Forge,Pennsylvania, to mark the site occupied by New Jersey soldiers camped there duringthe Revolutionary War. This dispensation is granted under Section 121 of the Grand

Lodge Statutes.

Fraternally,

(Seal Grand Lodge.) Thomas B. Mills,Grand Exalted Ruler.

The services were performed in the presence of the Valley Forge Revo-lutionary Encampment Commission of New Jersey and a representation fromthe Valley Forge Park Commission of Pennsylvania. Senator William T.

Read, of Camden County, and Senator Isaac T. Nichols, of CumberlandCounty, who advocated the passage of the bill in the Senate, were present asguests of the Lodge, and after the ceremonies made appropriate addresses.

19

The officers of the Camden Lodge of Elks, after an invocation bj^' Reverend

Holmes F. Gravatt, took their positions and laid the corner-stone, the Elks

Quartette rendering appropriate songs.

RITUAL FOR LAYING CORNER-STONE OF NEW JERSEY MONUMENTAT VALLEY FORGE, PA.

Exalted Ruler: Brother Esquire, you will form the Lodge by placing an officer

at each corner of the proposed monument; the Inner Guard and Tyler near the

Esteemed Leading Knight; the Secretary and Treasurer at my right and left.

Esquire: Exalted Ruler, your orders have been obeyed and each officer is at his

respective station.

(Members in half circle behind Exalted Ruler.)

Exalted Ruler: My Brothers, the Lodge is now open for the laying of this cor-ner-stone, but before proceeding with so sacred a service, it is proper that we invoke aDivine blessing upon our work.

(Minister offers Invocation.)

Exalted Ruler: My Brothers, we are assembled here to-day to perform one ofthe most memorable events in the history of our Lodge, as well as in the history of

New Jersey. We have been called upon by the Commission appointed by the Gover-nor of New Jersey, in accordance with the provisions of a law of that State, to haveerected upon this sacred spot, a monument to mark the site occupied by the New JerseyBrigade of the Continental Army, which was encamped here during the Revolutionary

War in the winter of 1777-1778.It was here Washington, Lafayette, Wayne, Von Steuben and the men who fought

for our liberty before the United States was formed assembled; it was from near here

Washington began his march to Trenton that resulted in the defeat of the Hessians; it

was here, amid these hills and valleys, his army took refuge after defeats and discourage-

ments ; and here, starving and dying, many of his young soldiers, in devotion to him

and the cause of liberty, gave up their lives. Here he came 'mid howling storms of win-

ter and in these hills they camped, and in log huts and tents faced not only cold and

privations, but sickness and starvation ; and here, out of 8,000 who followed him, lie

3,500 in scattering and unmarked graves. Many of these were Jerseymen, and theNew Jersey Brigade had nearly 2,000 of its 5,008 men encamped here. So, my Brothers,it is grandly fitting that a monument should be erected upon this sacred site where they

suffered, and where the immortal feet of Washington, Lafayette, Gen. Maxwell and

other heroes have trodden.

May this corner-stone and monument forever endure as a marker for this hallowedspot, and to indicate to our children's children and all their remotest posterity the price

paid by these men for the liberty they enjoy.

(The stone is set by the workmen.)

(Music.)

(Esquire hands the Exalted Ruler a trowel, bottle of water and one of red wine.)

Exalted Ruler: My Brothers, there will be four bases for this monument, andsymbolically they represent the four cardinal principles of our Order, Charity, Justice,

Brotherly Love and Fidelity; so may we as Elks together with all Americans act with

Charity to all mankind, with the realization that Justice should regulate not only our

20

individual lives but all of our American institutions; and may we forever regard with

Brotherly Love those nations and peoples who helped us in our early struggles for

freedom, and thus, with Charity and Justice, combined with Brotherly Love, strive with

all Fidelity to build up our Nation and our patriotic Order so that the cause of human-

ity may be enhanced, and our growing power used only for good and to help free all

mankind and bring them together in one common brotherhood.

This water, from its purity, I sprinkle upon this stone in commemoration of the

pure and undying love we bear our ancestors who suffered here in our behalf. This

wine, typical of the blood shed by the early patriots, I sprinkle in commemoration of

the sacrifices made by them in their struggle for freedom; and with this trowel I

spread the cement of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity, hoping it may bind

our nation closer together in one Great Brotherhood.

My Brothers, as you know, the Order of Elks is patriotic, the flag of our countryadorning our altar; therefore I deposit in this corner-stone the flag of our Nation, so

that if ever in the future centuries this stone shall be disturbed, it may inform those

then living that we were patriots as well as Elks.

(To the Architect.)

Worthy Sir: Having thus laid the foundation-stone of this structure, I now de-

liver to your hands, as Architect, these implements of your profession, intrusting you

with the superintendence and direction of the work, having full confidence in jour

skill and capacity to conduct and complete the same.

(Music.)

(Tribute to the Flag.)

Exalted Ruler: As this cement binds these stones together, so let us all during

our lives stand together for our Nation's good, and may the Divine cement of BrotherlyLove unite us, one and all, as living stones in the foundation of the great monumental

temple above, the house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.May the all-bounteous author of Nature bless all those in charge of this work

with an abundance of the necessaries, conveniences and comforts of life; prosper the

erection and completion of this monument;

protect the workmen against every acci-dent; long preserve this structure from decay, and grant to all of us a proper appre-

ciation of our cardinal virtues, Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity. Amen.

Exalted Ruler: Brother Esteemed Leading Knight, have we in Charity per-formed our duty here?

(Response) : We have.

Exalted Ruler: Brother Esteemed Loyal Knight, have we in Justice performedour duty here?

(Response) : We have.

Exalted Ruler: Brother Esteemed Lecturing Knight, have we performed ourduty here in the spirit of Brotherly Love?

(Response) : We have.

Exalted Ruler: Officers and Brothers, what say you?

(All) : Exalted Ruler, we have.

Exalted Ruler: Then, my Brothers, by virtue of the authority in me vested bythe Grand Exalted Ruler, I declare this corner-stone duly laid for the erection of the

21

monument thereon, according to the principles of the Benevolent and Protective Order

of Elks, and may it endure in the memories of our people forever.

(Music.)

(Band.)

(Taps.)

(All sing "Star Spangled Banner.")

At the conclusion of the laying of the corner-stone a copper box was

inserted in it which contained a full report of the proceedings and copies of

the various Philadelphia and Camden daily papers, badges of visiting Elk

Lodges, a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge and

By-Laws of Camden Lodge, with a roster of its members and all the data that

might enlighten future generations if the corner-stone is ever opened. The

copper box was hermetically sealed. It was donated by Martin J. Frand,

of Camden.

The contract for the monument, after being duly executed by the Com-

mission and contractor, was approved of by Governor Woodrow Wilson, as

well as the specifications which provide that the monument be made of Barre,

Vermont, granite, and weigh in itsi entirety 106,000 pounds. The figure to

be of bronze. United States Government standard, 90 per cent, copper, as

well as the tablet and coat-of-arms of the State of New Jersey. The coat-of-arms to be taken from an impression of the original seal of the State of NewJersey in the office of the Secretary of State, at Trenton. The monument

to be ten feet eight inches at the base and consist of four blocks of granite

symbolical of the four regiments of the New Jersey Brigade quartered therefrom December 18, i777, to June 18, 1778, and to be surmounted by a die

on which rests a shaft and on this a pedestal surmounted by an eight-foot

bronze figure of a Continental soldier uniformed and equipped after the style

of West's painting of soldiers in Washington's Army crossing the Delaware.

The uniform purposely showing wear and rents from service and the hat

and shoes as well. The figure being wrapped in a tattered blanket, well-worn,

fluttering in the wind and the scarf around the neck also. The soldier clasp-

ing a flint-lock musket to his breast, the design showing him as on picket duty.

The monument was faithfully produced from the design and is a mag-

nificent specimen of the sculptor's art. The bronze work is of a high grade

and was executed by the John Williams Co. Inc., of New York, M^hich doesmost of the work of that kind for the United States Government. The model

for the figure was made in Quincy Adams, Massachusetts, by the celebrated

sculptor, John Horrigan.

The monument was made in Barre, Vermont. The Commission spared

no effort to obtain every detail as to quality and design and was disposed to

use stone from New Jersey, but after careful inquiry found that our State22

23

had no true granite of a character suitable for this structure. The figure, asstated, was first moulded in clay at Quincy Adams, Massachusetts, and at

the invitation of the contractor President Fort, under instruction of the Com-

mission, went on there and inspected it and made several changes in the de-

tails of the figure and dress, enhancing the idea of a well-worn uniform, tat-

tered blanket and battered hat, without giving the soldier the appearance of

being ragged.

The monument has a large bronze tablet on the front, bearing in large

block letters the inscription:

"Erected By The State of New Jersey Upon The Site OccupiedBy The New Jersey Brigade Infantry Line, Continental Army.

Brigadier General, WILLIAM MAXWELL.First Regiment, COL. MATHIAS OGDEN.Second Regiment, COL. ISRAEL SHREVE.Third Regiment, COL. ELIAS DAYTON.Fourth Regiment, COL. EPHRAIM MARTIN.

December 19, 1777—June 18, 1778."

A cartouch also contains a bronze cut of the original coat-of-arms of NewJersey above the tablet.

A copy of the Original New Jersey Coat-of-Arms.

The eighteenth day of June, 19 13, was set for the dedication of the

monument, as on that date, in 1778, General Washington received informa-

tion that Lord Howe had evacuated Philadelphia and immediately hastenedthe New Jersey Brigade, under Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, and Morgan'sRegiment of Riflemen—who was also a Jersej^man—in hot haste after LordClinton in his retreat across the Jerseys to South Amboy, while he got the

rest of the army in readiness to follow the next day.

Considerable detail work was necessary before the erection and dedica-

tion of the monument. It was necessary to obtain written permission from

the Valley Forge Park Commission of Pennsylvania, both as to the site selected

for the erection of the monument and also for designs, inscriptions on tablets

and rules and regulations governing the park, as well as for the erection of

24

x^*^^

11

i^^

if 7K

a grand stand and for the location of the battery of artillery for firing a salute

on the day of dedication, which written permission is herewith filed, together

with the correspondence:

CamdeNj N. J., June 13, 1912.

Hon. John JV. Jordan, Secretary Valley Forge Park Com., Philadelphia, Pa.

My Dear Sir: The Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission of NewJersey, consisting of John H. Fort, of Camden (president) ; James L. Pennypacker,

of Haddonfield (secretary) ; A. J. Demarest, of Hoboken (treasurer) ; David P. Mul-

ford, of Bridgeton, and Gen. J. Madison Drake, of Elizabeth, met yesterday in Camden

at the Home of Camden Lodge of Elks, by invitation, and after organization and com-pletion of routine business incident to the occasion, visited Valley Forge and were

officially shown the site designated by your Commission upon which is to be erected the

monument and markers of the site occupied by the New Jersey Brigade of Stirling'sDivision during the years 1777-1778.

Mr. Samuel S. Hartranft and Mr. J. P. Hale Jenkins kindly met us and pointed

out the site marked by a stake, and the New Jersey Commission is highly delightedwith your selection. Under the Act creating our New Jersey Valley Forge Revolu-tionary Encampment Commission, we are authorized to arrange with the State of Penn-

sylvania or the Valley Forge Park Commission for the use and occupation of the lands

occupied by the New Jersey troops at Valley Forge at that time, and I was instructedto ask your Commission for a letter officially giving us the authority to proceed.

It is our desire to advertise at once for proposals for design and bids for the

erection of the monument as the funds are available. We must make a detailed reportof our transactions and will want a letter to show we have received official permission

to erect the monument.

In your letter will you also give us the conditions upon which the monument

is to be erected, such as cost, material, whether any expense will attach to maintenance

of the grounds we occupy, etc. ?We understand our design must be approved by your Commission, and ask con-

firmation of this.

The New Jersey Commission feels that the dedication of this monument shouldbe made an eventful day, and would ask permission to occupy a suitable portion of

these grounds that day for a grand stand and possibly a tent in which to entertain

State officials and invited guests, and permission if we can arrange it for locating a

battery front or somewhere to fire suitable salutes and of marching from the depot

to the monument in parade form or otherwise. Of course, the Commission will see that

nothing is of a character that will offend the proprieties of the occasion.

As we wish to proceed in the matter, a prompt answer will greatly oblige the

New Jersey Commission.I have the honor to be respectfully yours,

John Henry Fort,

President, New Jersey Valley Forge Revolutionary Monument Commission.

VALLEY FORGE PARK COMMISSION.

Office, 1414 South Penn Square, Philadelphia, Pa.

(Coat-of-Arms.)

Created by Act, May 30, 1893.Commissioners,

W. H. Sayen, President, 1414 South Penn Square, Philadelphia, Pa.

J. P. Nicholson, Vice President, Philadelphia, Pa.

26

John W. Jordan, Secretary and Treasurer.

J. P. Hale Jenkins, Norristown, Pa.

M. G. Brumbaugh, Philadelphia, Pa.

W. A. Patton, Radnor, Pa.Richmond L. Jones, Reading, Pa.

John T. Windrim, Devon, Pa.

Samuel W. Pennypacker, Schwenksville, Pa.T. E. Wiedersheim, St. Davids, Pa.

Philadelphia, July 19th, 1912.

John H. Fort, Esq., President, Valley Forge Revol. Encampt. Commission of the State

of Neiv Jersey.

Dear Sir: I beg to inform you that our Commission has approved the site selected

for the erection of a monument on a part of the ground occupied by the New JerseyBrigade, while encamped at Valley Forge.

The following are the regulations of the Valley Forge Park Commission with regard

to memorials:

(i) All designs for monuments must first be submitted to the Commission for ap-

proval.

(2) It is hereby made the fixed policy of the Valley Forge Park Commission, and

it is ordered, that no statement or fact shall be inscribed upon any stone, tablet, or

memorial, and placed or erected within the limits of the Camp ground until after

written or printed citations of the authorities upon which it is based have been filed

with the Commission and approved by them.

(3) No stone, tablet or permanent memorial to be placed or erected within the

limits of the Camp ground shall contain the names of those interested in its locationor erection, or the names of any other persons, than those existing during the period

of the War of the Revolution. It was the opinion of the Commission that the figureof a Continental soldier, which is proposed to surmount the shaft, be cast in bronze

and not cut in granite. The bronze figure is more attractive and durable, and the

cost approximately the same.

Permission will be given to your Commission to erect a grand stand and a tent

in which to entertain your State oflicials and Invited guests, and also the location for

a battery of artillery to fire a salute, on the day of dedication.

It will give us pleasure to facilitate the work of your Commission In Its laudable

and patriotic work.

By order of the Valley Forge Park Commission.W. H. Sayen,

President.

John W. Jordan, Secretary.

In the original appropriation onlj' $5,000 was allowed for building the

monument and markers, so the Commission merged the markers into the

monument, designing a block for each Regiment, and all four blocks sur-

mounted by a shaft forming a monument to the Brigade. The site was care-

fully selected and is near the Letitia Aubrey old stone school-house, which was

used by the New Jersey Brigade as a hospital. The Brigade was for a timethe life-guard of Washington, whose Markee was pitched near the site of the

monument for several weeks before he accepted the old stone mansion near

the present depot, at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill. At27

that time the men were quartered in log huts and the remains of some of the

old bake-ovens are near by. The monument is at the top of the hill, and the

site was chosen from maps and old records locating "Maxwell Brigade on the

Hill." The monument faces that part of the inner drive or concourse known

as Maj. Gen. Lafayette Avenue. This avenue was built by the Penn-

sylvania Commission since the State acquired some five hundred of the thou-

sand or more acres occupied by the Continental Army, and should not be con-

fused with the roads marked on the maps as Camp Road and Gulph Road.

The New Jersey Brigade was encamped between the two, near where theycome together. The Gulph Road is about three hundred yards in front of

The old School House, built by Letitia Aubrey, 1705. Used by the NewJersey Brigade for some time as a Hospital.

the monument. The camp ground of the Brigade is also near the inner

breastworks. The Brigade when it left Valley Forge was accredited with

having eighteen hundred and thirtj^-two men on the muster roll. It was In-

fantry Line, and enlisted under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Itconsisted of four regiments and was from different parts of the State, then

consisting of thirteen counties instead of twentj^-one, as now. Its commander,

Brigadier General Maxwell, was of Irish birth, coming to America with his

father when only a boy and soon entered the military, becoming a Colonel

of one of the regiments and afterwards being appointed as Brigadier General

of the First New Jersey Brigade, consisting of the First, Second, Third and28

Fourth Regiments. The Brigade did splendid service and was in every bat-

tle of consequence with Washington from Brandywine and Monmouth to

the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. It was entirely a Jersey Brigade,

both as to men and officers, and was classed as one of the finest in the service.

There were a number of Jerseymen in other commands at Valley Forge,

some with "Light Horse Harry", General Lee, and some in the Artillery

service with General Knox, and some with the New York troops, but notassigned as Jerseymen. There is no possible way of ascertaining how many

Jerseymen died at Valley Forge and where they are buried. Of the thirt^--

five hundred who died of the first army of eight thousand there, only one

grave was marked, that of Colonel Waterman, of New England. Therewas no fighting done at Valley Forge, it being selected for winter quarters,

and while there were skirmishes on the out-posts and fighting in defending

provisions stored in nearby towns, the Camp at or near Valley Forge was

never the scene of any engagement. The deaths there were from smallpox

and enteric disejises incident to the lack of food and clothing. Even two hun-

dred horses starved to death, and the men in many instances were almost

naked in a winter of unusual severity in that bleak and exposed place. In

fact, a terrible blizzard struck the army before it had time to prepare huts to

live in, and the high winds drove the smoke into the huts, so that many were

affected with eye trouble as well.

In designing the monument frequent trips had to be made to Valley

Forge and various historical data examined to make the figure and inscrip-

tion on the tablet and coat-of-arms exact and historically correct, and loca-

tion had to be taken into consideration for height and contour of monument,

every detail having to be verified, necessitating thirteen different visits to Val-

ley Forge.

The Commission, having no money to arrange for the corner-stone lay-

ing or dedication of the monument, carefully went into the details of the

expense. Camden Lodge of Elks assumed the entire expense of the corner-

stone, laying, paying nearly three hundred dollars for a special train, besides

all other attendant expenses. It was found that the expenses of the dedica-

tion involved the transportation of troops, a band, a battery of two guns for

firing a salute, erection of grand-stand, automobiles, printing of invitations

and programs, decorations and other incidental expenses involving an estimated

expense of about two thousand dollars. The Legislature of New Jerseywas again appealed to for an appropriation of twentj-five hundred dollars,

which was approved by the Senate but never passed the House, but in the

closing hours of the session eighteen hundred dollars was included in the an-

nual appropriation of the Committee en Appropriations which w^as passed

and approved by the Governor. From this amount was erected a grand-

stand seating one thousand people, decorations for it and draping the monu-

ment for unveiling, four companies of Infantry of the Third Regiment, a

29

two-gunned Battery from Camden with thirty-six horses and. twenty-one

men, Bossell's Third Regiment Band with forty pieces, five thousand invita-

tions, envelopes and stamps, five thousand programs, expenses of Commission,

transportation of Battery and horses by special train, subsistence of men, and

hire of five large automobiles and five twenty-passenger sight-seeing cars to

convey the Governor, Staff, Commission and visitors from the depot to the

monument and return, over a mile apart. Arrangements were also made

with the Reading Railroad in advance for a special train for conveyance of

the military, guests and the general public at a uniform rate of transporta-

tion from Philadelphia to Valley Forge and return of seventy-five cents.

Five thousand invitations were mailed to attend the dedication to United

States Senators and Congressmen of New Jersey, to the State Senators andAssemblymen, also the Judges of the Supreme, Circuit and County Courts

of the State; to every State, county and city official, the entire clergy of the

State, members of the Bar, physicians, all the patriotic organizations, as well

as the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of New Jersey; Sons ofVeterans, and special guests. Itemized bills were filed with the State Comp-

troller, verified with affidavits, and the entire expense was sixteen hundred

and fifty dollars, leaving a balance of one hundred and fifty dollars, which

lapsed back into the State Treasury.

The Commission delegated the President, John Henry Fort, and theTreasurer, A. J. Demarest, to visit Washington to invite the President of

the United States, Honorable Woodrow Wilson, to be present at the dedi-cation and deliver an address. He informed them that he would certainlybe glad to be present and asked that a formal letter of invitation be sent him.

He was forced to decline, as his letter herein published shows, but verygraciously designated his daughter, then Miss Eleanor Wilson, to unveil the

monument. An invitation was also extended to Acting Governor James F.Fielder, who accepted:

VALLEY FORGE REVOLUTIONARY ENCAMPMENT COMMISSIONOF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

Camden, N. J., April 17th, 1913.

Hon. Woodronx) Wilson, President of the United States of America, IVashington, D. C.

My Dear Sir: The Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission of theState of New Jersey extends to you a most cordial invitation to be present and deliveran address at the unveiling and dedication of the monument which is to mark the site

occupied by the New Jersey troops of the Continental Army at Valley Forge duringthe winter of 1777-1778.

The dedicatory exercises are to be held at Valley Forge on Wednesday, June i8th,

1913, at two o'clock in the afternoon. A special train will leave the Reading RailroadStation, Philadelphia, at about one o'clock.

The Commissioners are not unmindful of the fact of the many demands made upon

your valuable time, but inasmuch as this is a New Jersey affair with which you havebeen so intimately associated from its very conception, we beg leave to submit the fol-

lowing for vour consideration:

30

31

The bill creating the Valley Forge Commission was signed by you as Governorof the State of New Jersey.

The Commission which has worked so zealously to erect a monument which willbe a credit to the State was appointed by you.

And now that the work of the Commission will be ended on that day, the peopleof the great State of New Jersey are looking to you, as President of the United States,to set your seal of approval on the work of your Commission by your presence on thatoccasion, and thus join with your neighbors in paying tribute to its honored dead.

It is the wish of the Commission that one of your daughters unveil the monumenton this day; and we trust that one of the young ladies will find it possible to honorus by being present for this purpose.

I take the liberty of enclosing herewith a copy of order of the dedicatory exercises.

Respectfully yours,

Jno. H. Fort,

President.

A. J. Demarest.

The White House.Washington, April 34, 191 3.

My Dear Mr. Fort:I do not know any invitation that it has been harder for me to decline than your

kind invitation to be present at the unveiling and dedication of the monument whichis to mark the site occupied by the New Jersey troops of the Continental Army atValley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778 ; but I foresee only too clearly that it would

be folly for me to promise to go. I am denying myself a great pleasure, but it seemsa clear duty to do so.

I do not know how my daughters will feel about your kindness in suggesting thatone of them should unveil the monument. I shall be pleased to put the matter before

them. Cordially and sincerely yours,

WooDROw Wilson.Mr. John H. Fort, Camden, New Jersey.

On June i8th, 191 3, the President of the Commission, John HenryFort, Treasurer A. J. Demarest and Mrs. James L. Pennypacker, wife of the

Secretary of the Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission, met

Miss Eleanor Wilson and Miss Hagner, private secretary to the President's

wife, at the West Philadelphia station and, with the exception of Mr. Fort,accompanied her to Valley Forge in the private limousine of Mr, William

C. Davis, who kindly extended this courtesy to the Commission as a member

of Camden Lodge of Elks.At I P. M. a special train left the Reading Terminal, Philadelphia, for

Valley Forge, and arrived safely at the new ten thousand dollar depot, located

opposite Washington's Headquarters. The train was in two sections, onecarrying the Governor, Staff and troops, and the other the civilians. Thetroops upon detraining were formed in line and Acting Governor Fielder,

his Staff, the Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission, guests

and visitors formed in procession and marched or rode to the monument.

The monument was draped with an American Flag and the grand stand with32

The Monument Erected by the State of New Jersey at Valley Forge June 18th,1913, to the New Jersey Brigade, Infantry Line, Continental Army,

on the site it occupied there December 19th, 1777,to June 18th, 1778.

Colonial colors and Colonial flags. The Battery, which had arrived upona special train in the morning, was placed in position near the monument, and

as the Governor and suite arrived, iired a salute of thirteen guns in his honor.

A printed program of buff and blue, Continental colors, had beenarranged giving the details of the ceremonies, a picture of the monument,

Acting Governor Fielder, Miss Eleanor Wilson and the Commission. After

arriving at the monument the troops were formed into a three-sided hollowsquare around the monument, and in the presence of about three thousand

people the ceremonies were begun.

It was one of the most interesting crowds of spectators ever assembled

at Valley Forge. In the crowd were men and women from every county inthe State, and many of them were descendants of those who one hundred andthirty-five years ago were soldiers in the four regiments constituting the

First New Jersey Brigade encamped upon the spot which the monument wasto commemorate. There were representatives of the Grand Army of theRepublic who had fought in Mexico and in the late Civil War, Sons andDaughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, Sons of the

Revolution, and persons from every rank of life in the State of NewJersey. It is doubtful if any event of this kind ever received more publicity

by invitations sent out and press notices before and after the dedication than

the dedication of the New Jersey monument at Valley Forge. Full detailedaccounts of the dedicatory services were published in the Philadelphia and

Camden papers and those of nearby towns, as well as the Associated Pressdispatches, many of them being illustrated with sketches. The moving-pic-ture artists were present, and the whole ceremonies were exhibited several

days afterwards in the theatres all over the United States.

(Invitation.)

The Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission of theState of New Jersey

Requests the Honor of Your Presence at Valley Forge,Wednesday Afternoon, June Eighteenth, at Two O'clock,

At the Ceremony of theUnveiling and Dedication of the Monument

Erected Upon the SiteOccupied by the New Jersey Brigade Infantry Line,

Continental Army,During the Winter of 1 777-1 778.

Members of the Commission.

John H. Fort, Camden ; James L. Pennypacker, Hnddonfield ;A. J. Demarest, Hoboken ; Gen. J. Madison Drake, Elizabeth;

David P. Mulford, Bridgeton.

Trains Will Leave the Reading Terminal Station, Philadelphia,

At One O'clock and Return at Five O'Clock.34

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PROGRAM.

(First Page.)

Part First^ Formation of Parade.

Assembling at Washington's Headquarters and March to Monument.Third Regiment Band.

Battalion of Third Regiment, National Guard N. J.Division Naval Reserves, N. J.Valley Forge Park Commission.

Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission.Governors James F. Fielder and John K. Tener.**Not present; represented by ex-Governor Pennypacker.

Orator and Guests.

United States Senators and Congressmen.

State Officials, Civic Organizations and Citizens.

(Second Page.)

Part Second^ Dedication Ceremonies.

Salute to the Governor by Battery B, N. G. of N. J.Invocation, Rev. Otis A. Glazebrook, D. D., Elizabeth, N. J.*

*Not present ; invocation delivered by Rev. James W. Riddle.

Music by Third Regiment Band, Joseph Bossle, Sr., Chief Musician.Doxolog}^ by Band and Audience.

Presentation of Monument to the Governor of New Jersey by John HenryFort, President Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment

Commission.

Unveiling of Monument by Miss Margaret Wilson.Salute to Original States, 13 Guns.

Music, "Hail New Jersey," Dr. Schaaf.Acceptance of the Monument by the Governor of New Jersey and

Presentation to the Governor of Pennsylvania.

Acceptance of the Monument by the Governor of Pennsylvania andFormal Delivery to the Valley Forge Park Commission.

Acceptance of Monument by Hon. William H. Sayen, President ofthe Valley Forge Park Commission of Pennsjdvania.

Music, "Spirit of '76."

Oration, Dr. W. H. S. Demarest, President Rutgers College.Music, "Songs of the Nation."

Voluntary by Band, "A Tribute to Friends and Foe."Benediction.

Conclusion.

Farewell Salute of One Gun."Star Spangled Banner."

Taps.

After firing the salute to the Governor, John Henry Fort, President of

the Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission of New Jersey,addressing the audience, said: "We are present to-day under the provision

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37

of an Act of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to unveil a monu-ment erected upon the site occupied by and to be dedicated to the First NewJersey Brigade, but before proceeding upon such an important event it is

proper that we should invoke the blessing of a Divine Providence," and in-troduced Rev. James W. Riddle, A. M., of Valley Forge, who offered an in-vocation. This was followed by the singing of the "Doxology" by the au-dience and the choir of St. Paul's P. E. Church, of Camden, accompanied by

the band. After this John Henry Fort, President of the Commission, form-ally presented the monument to the Governor of New Jersey in an appro-priate speech, given in the newspaper accounts.

At the conclusion of his speech Mr. Fort introduced Miss Wilson, stat-ing that while the program showed that Miss. Margaret Wilson was to un-

veil the monument that in reality it would be unveiled by Miss Eleanor Wil-

son, the President's youngest daughter, who for some reason had later beenselected. Mr. Fort stated that President Wilson had always been a provident

man and had evidently provided against such events by having three daugh-ters, so that while Miss Margaret was absent to-day we still had the honorof having a daughter of the former Governor of New Jersey, and now thePresident of the United States, to unveil the monument. Then, amidst a

thunder of applause, Miss Wilson pulled the cord releasing the flag, and with

a salvo of thirteen guns to the thirteen original States, and the band playing

"Hail New Jersey", the flag gracefully fell to the base of the monument.For a moment the audience stood silently inspecting the monument and the

colossal bronze soldier surmounting it, and then broke forth into tumultuous

applause. Governor Fielder then formally accepted the monument from the

New Jersey Valley Forge Revolutionary Encampment Commission and pre-sented it to ex-Governor Pennypacker on behalf of the Governor of Penn-

sylvania, who in turn then presented it to the Valley Forge Park Commis-sion of Pennsylvania, and it was accepted by the Hon. William H. Saj^en,

President of the Commission.

The speeches are printed also in the newspaper clippings accompanyingthis report.

After the acceptance of the monument by the Valley Forge Park Com-

mission, Dr. W. H. S. Demarest, President of Rutgers College, delivered theoration

:

ORATION OF DR. W. H. S. DEMAREST, PRESIDENT OFRUTGERS COLLEGE.

On Decernber 19, 1777, Washington went into winter quarters at Val-ley Forge, On June 18, 1778, the army left the camp for the field again.On June 19, 1878, the one hundredth anniversary of the evacuating of thecamp was celebrated with due ceremony in memory of the men who were atValley Forge during that winter. Immediately upon this centennial celebra-

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A View of the New Jersey Monument at Valley Forge as it unveiled,June 18th, 1913.

tion associations were formed and movements promoted looking to permanentmemorial of the soldiers and the scenes of those memorable daj's. Govern-

ments are not always ungrateful, and Acts of the United States Congress and

Acts of State Legislatures encouraged the noble sentiment of private citizens

and forwarded the practical work undertaken by them. The State of Penn-sylvania, as was natural, acted most promptly and most largely. This groundof the encampment was acquired, a park dedicated to patriotism was createdand monuments have been erected. The State of New Jersey, by Act of itsLegislature, 1912, officially took its place in the memorial movement. To-day, June 18, 1913, the 135th anniversary of the evacuation. New Jersey'smonument is dedicated.

It is all a commemorating of singular devotion and suffering, singularpatience and sacrifice. National pride and filial respect find few scenes inour American history, or in all history perhaps, more worthy of remembrance.In stress of circumstance which we find it hard to imagine, in experience inwhich we find it hard even by wildest fancy to place ourselves in our timesof peace and comfort, the spirit of our fathers erected its own enduring monu-ment in the hearts of the children, heirs to the rich heritage purchased withtheir blood. It is not they alone who fight in the forefront of the battle, orthey even most of all, who deserve the monument in solid stone or steadfastmemory. They also serve who only stand and wait. There are honors ofthe camp as great as those of anj^ battle-field. There were heroes of the newpatriotism as noble in the huts of Valley Forge as on the field of Monmouth.

It falls to us to rehearse in some brief fashion the cause of war, offield and camp, related to that fateful winter we commemorate and the menwe honor here to-day. The new cause had not gone well through those lat-ter months of 1777. Defeat rather than victory, depression rather than en-couragement, had befallen the Continental troops. Brandywine (September11) and Germantown (October 4) not, it is true, without their compensa-tions, marked the path of disaster. Lord Howe with his forces now occu-pied Philadelphia. Winter had come on. The wisest disposing of ourforces was not an easy problem. Should they remain in the field, pressingthe campaign as best they might, engaging the enemy as chance might offer,or should they go into camp, ceasing for the time the urgent warfare, wait-

ing the new season and a new call to arms. If they should go into camp,it might be at Wilmington or Trenton. But Wilmington was not strategic,and Trenton was not secure ; the one was not apt to any needed and swiftaction; the other would always be in peril of the foe. Council on the ques-tion was held November 30. There was divided judgment on the question.The decision at the last had to be Washington's alone. He decided on acamp life for the winter ; he decided on Valley Forge as the place of thecamp, a place first suggested perhaps by Colonel Lutterloh at the Council of

November 30. That his going into camp should meet sharp criticism wasnot strange. There were those ready enough to find fault with him on anypretext. There were those who in all honesty and eagerness felt that patrioticzeal and the exigencies of the cause demanded persistently active campaign.The Council of Pennsylvania officially and vigorously disapproved. Amidthe many things that stir our admiration for the great leader of our causeduring those months of mighty stress upon all his resources of brain and heart

and character, this is not the least, that he ordered the army to encamp, and

that he chose this place for the encampment. It was a strategic place.40

S-o

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Washington, giving reasons for choice, says: "These cogent reasons havedetermined the General to take post in the neighborhood of this camp and,influenced bj' them, he persuades himself that the officers and soldiers withone heart and mind will resolve to surmount every difficulty with a forti-tude and patience becoming their profession and the sacred cause in whichthey are engaged. He himself will share in the hardships and partake ofevery inconvenience," General Howe himself, after a long winter of restraintfrom attack, wrote the minister at home, April 19, that in spite of theenemy's diminishing by desertion and detachment, "their situation is toostrong to hazard an attack with a prospect of success." It was well related tothe British camp in the great city—to watch it ; and to guard eastern Pennsyl-vania and New Jersey. It lent itself well to adequate defense, bj'^ its ridges,its well fortified slope. It was situated in a country which naturally shouldhave been abundant in supplies. So the army that was weary and bruised,leaving Whitemarsh December 11, marched its short but painful way to thisplace, then wooded and bleak, arriving December 19, to make its home herewhile a half year dragged its slow course; and in January, 1778, a Commit-tee of Congress visited Valley Forge, endorsed the action taken and pledged

full support.

In the native confusion and the solitude the great commander saw a sol-diers' city in the making. Huts sprang up ; streets of rude habitation shapedthemselves; the camp life began its monotonous routine. The story hadbegun which was to be forever strange and awful and glorious, the storywhich we enshrine to-day. For the winter weather came in bitterness of coldand storm. The snow fell and drifted and made the camp a prison. Suppliesfailed; food and clothing, needed and expected, failed to come. Withoutblankets the soldiers lay sometimes on the icy ground ; with shoes worn outand clothing tattered, they shivered and froze. Without meat and bread theygrew weak and nigh starvation. Sickness spread throughout the camp. Howmany of the eleven thousand there died we do not know; it is estimated thatthree thousand were buried in the camp or near by; one-third are reportedat one time unfit for service. The commissary department, commanding sub-stantial supplies, in utmost inefficiency, failed to get them to the camp. Con-gress was without its earlier strong men and failed to grasp and master thesituation. Officials named by Congress for immediate duty were unequal toit. In this country roundabout were farmers well nigh exhausted by the

exactions of war ; some of them disaffected to the national cause, some of themeager for British coin rather than Continental paper. General Varnum writesto General Greene: "The situation of the camp is such that in all humanprobability the army must dissolve."

In all this distress, almost at once acute and continuing acute for weeks,Washington remained supremely the master of the situation. His lettersfrom Valley Forge are masterpieces of a noble mind, of a military genius,and of a scholar in the English language. He does not fail to clearly declarethe stress of circumstances, to arraign the parties who seem to him at fault,to applaud the soldiers who endure all privation with him and to keep hisspirit in control over himself and his followers. In the midst of that bitter

fellow-suffering with those who gave his word obedience came the "ConwayCabal," the treacherous plotting and undermining by officers in high place.

Gates, Conway, Mifflin, revealed to him and defeated with prompt self-assertion.

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With him was the persistent spirit of the soldier in the ranks. Amidthe death and sickness, amid the nakedness and hunger, the desertions were

not many, and mutiny did not rise. It was hard to wait; it was hard tosuffer; it was hard to be in want for others' fault; it was hard to endure forwhat seemed a losing cause ; it was hard to trust the government. Com-plaints there must have been and restlessness, protests and self pit}^ Butthrough it all, the patience, the endurance, the actual waiting, the loyal sub-

mitting, the endless hoping for the day of new life, of busy conflict, and farreaching triumph. Washington himself wrote to Governor Clinton: "Nakedand starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patienceand fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their

sufferings to a general mutiny and desertion." Under date of March 20,he wrote: "By death and desertion we have lost a good many men since wecame to this ground and have endured every species of hardship that cold,

wet and hunger, and want of clothes were capable of producing." And underdate of April 21, he wrote: "No order of men in the United States haspaid a more sacred regard to the proceedings of Congress than the army; for

without arrogance or the smallest deviation from truth it may be said thatno history now extant can furnish one instance of an army's suffering suchuncommon hardships as ours has done and bearing them with the same patienceand fortitude."

And most remarkable withal, there was in time the training, the organiz-ing, the strengthening, the compacting; of a force that was to be as great atleaving Valley Forge as when it came, and vastly stronger, more efficient.Baron Steuben brought his old-world discipline to the task. Devotinghimself to the cause of the new Republic, he cast his lot with the leader atValley Forge. Washington was to make the winter tell all it could for thearmy in its grasp. A whole new organization seemed the thing. And theman for the undertaking he found in Baron Steuben, of Frederick'sStaff, and hero of the Seven Years' War. He succeeded Conway as Inspec-tor General. The Baron himself tells of the problem he faced, the troopsdisorganized, depleted, weakened. By the system he established, the drillhe imposed, the spirit he infused ; by his wisdom and his strngth, his militarygenius, he wrought out with Washington a force that had in it the prophecyof signal success.

The army lingered at Valley Forge until the British moved from Phila-delphia. On May 7th a great celebration and religious thanksgiving for theacknowledging of the independence of the United States by France was held.

Before leaving, Washington, as directed by Congress, administered the oath

of allegiance to all officers; several stood forth at a time, each with a hand

on the Bible, to swear their loA'al service to their country. Swiftly on the

news of the evacuation of Philadelphia, June 18, Sir William Howe havinggiven way to Sir Harry Clinton, the army moved toward the pathway of theBritish. And the full, fierce rush of war was again begun on the battle-fieldof Monmouth.

So much in swift picture as back-ground of the men whom we to-daycount primarily ours, the men of New Jersey who here camped, suffered,endured, died, triumphed. They were the men of New Jersey's new enlist-ment, the Second Establishment, as it was called. They were known as the"Jersey Line" or Maxwell's Brigade. The First Establishment of NewJersey had been organized in the autumn of 1775. Act of Congress Septem-

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ber 1 6, 1776, called for the Second Establishment. The State of New Jer-sey acted in conformity September 26. In October the troops, the FirstEstablishment, were at Ticonderoga, and rumors were rife of the disaffec-tion of New Jersey soldiers. On the 25th of that month a committee of theLegislature of New Jersey, John S. Symmes and Teunis Dey, reviewed them.The committee reported November